AUCTION:
July 21 at 12.30pm, 2 Lorne St, Auckland Central.
CONTACT:
Ron Yang, Ray White, 021 885 998, Damian Piggin and Daniel Horrobin, 0800 00 2477
Living above the Viaduct has been a great experience, says Bob Coombes, especially coming home from work on weekdays and watching people on their way to their favourite bars, cafes and restaurants.
Central, too, if you're a commuter. No worries about getting a park as the apartment at The Quaysthat Bob owns, with his wife Christine and another couple, Ian and Janet Brothers, has two secure basement parking spaces. Even better, any work commute was generally against the flow of the traffic.
The couple bought the leasehold first-level apartment about 10 years ago. Hamilton-based Bob and Ian were working in Auckland and would travel to the apartment on Sunday evenings, spend the working week here and head back to Hamilton, where Christine was studying, at weekends. Then Christine also found work in Auckland and they lived here together during the week, until their jobs took them away from the city. The apartment has been rented out since.
"We have been getting $800 a week because we have the two carparks," says Christine.
The apartment certainly has a lot going for it. It's right in the middle of the city and it's spacious inside and outside with the large north-facing deck that looks over the Viaduct and harbour. The owners particularly liked how the two bedrooms are separated by the open-plan living/dining/kitchen plus separate study.
Image 1 of 6: There's all-day sun and it's at the centre of the harbourside hotspots.
"Two bedrooms and two bathrooms, that was ideal for two couples," says Bob. "And because the lounge was between the bedrooms, it was private." There is also access through the sliding glass doors to the deck from living and both bedrooms, plus sliding privacy shutters when needed.
The kitchen, too, faces the views, making it easy for anyone prepping food to mix and mingle with guests. It is a practical design with easy-care dimpled stainless steel bench and good storage. Appliances are F&P and Kelvinator.
But it was the deck that sold this apartment to them. "It's great, it gets all-day sun and we have had lots of fun on that deck," says Christine.
"It's such a vibrant part of the city. There is also the lovely hot pool across the road at the Tepid Baths, plus the gym." They say the apartment is naturally warm -- facing north and part of an apartment building -- but there is air con, handy in the summer, and vented central heating (although they have never used it).
Improvements they have made include painting the interior, re-carpeting and adding louvre partitions for privacy at each end of their deck.
Both couples have decided to sell as they no longer use the apartment.
